France player ratings vs Germany

France and Germany were expected to put on a display of footballing brilliance which fans would be left purring about. Sadly, it did not turn out that way.

An intriguing affair didn't quite get going and always promised more than it delivered.

Before the match the German camp was hit by flu, coach Joachim Low, played down these reports. And the Germans showed no signs of lethargy or being off color as they marched in to the semi finals of the World Cup with a 1 0 win over France.

The Tottenham Hotspur number one plays as a 'sweeper keeper'. Intercepting long field passes from the opposition and generally mopping up defensive errors.

He is naturally very athletic, fast off his line and a good shot stopper. He could do nothing about Mats Hummels's twelfth minute header and was only called in to action again once in the entire match. When Andre Schurrle tamely shot, none the less the shot had to be saved and was.

A good keeper, a good performance - 8

Left Back - Patrice Evra

The veteran full back had a solid game. His battle with Thomas Muller was one which was keenly watched throughout.

Muller was lively and threatened on occasion but not the real goal threat he has been previously in the tournament. Perhaps he was too engaged in conning the referee with his theatrical, diving skills rather than concentrating on his game?

Evra kept him quiet and was able to get forward also but sadly for the French, there was no end product - 7

Centre Back - Raphael Varane

The youthful Real Madrid player looked naive at this level. He looked shaky and vulnerable when the Germans were getting in behind the French midfield, which happened all to regularly.

The Germans were able to create openings consistently.

Varane was also physically out-muscled by Mats Hummels in the twelfth minute. Hummels then powered a header in to the top left hand corner of Lloris's goal. A shaky performance which cost his side - 5

Centre Back - Mamadou Sakho

The Liverpool defender is an athlete. He is tall, strong and athletic but not necessarily the best technical footballer around. As a striker you would always feel that he would give you a chance or a look in with a dodgy first touch or a misplaced pass.

However he was forced to perform some last ditch tackles or blocks. This saved the French. The German's consistently got in behind the French midfield and threatened the French defence.

Sakho though dealt well with the Germans' direct running - 8

Sakho was replaced in the seventy-first minute by Laurent Koscielny. He must have been injured otherwise it was a strange call, chasing the game to replace a centre back with another centre back. France were too cautious.

Right Back - Mathieu Debuchy

The Newcastle man has been heavily linked with Arsenal, as a replacement for Bacary Sagna. He, like Varane, did not look certain at this level, at this stage of the tournament.

Maybe the nerves got to him. Muller and Ozil managed to run at him and get crosses in regularly. A poor defensive performance - 6

Defensive Midfielder - Blaise Matuidi

The Paris Saint-Germain player had a great season for his club. Operating as a box to box midfielder, he has a phenomenal engine. His athletic attributes are what set him apart from other players.

However his passing was not at all accurate. He lost the ball too regularly which did not let France get a foothold in the midfield or the match - 6

Central Midfielder - Yohan Cabaye

A technically gifted player, he is a sublime passer of a football. Crucial to the French efforts. He creates a lot of chances for his side.

He looked lively at times but again, a lack of accuracy and cutting edge meant he was ineffective - 6

Cabaye was replaced in the seventy-third minute by Loic Remy. At this stage the French had to push forward more in order to try and equalize. Remy is a very quick player and is best used when he gets in behind the opposition defences, beating the offside trap.

Germany have a slow defence. France could and should have utilized his pace to get that all important goal. The Germans though used their experience and know-how to kill the game well - 6

Central Midfielder - Mathieu Valbuena

The French 'go to man'. Coach, Didier Deschamps, has picked the Marseille man in every one of his fixtures as French National team manager.

A small, tricky customer. A very good passer who possesses an impressive first touch. He creates chances for the teams he plays for. He looked lively.

Germany controlled the game but you always felt France had a goal in them. Everything France did well, came through Valbuena. He nearly equalised from a half volley but was prevented by the impressive Manuel Neuer - 7

Valbuena was replaced by Olivier Giroud late on. The Arsenal target man was poor. He did not hold the ball up nor did he add an attacking threat or any potency to France - 5

Left Attacking Midfielder - Antoine Griezmann

The Real Sociedad youngster looked bright. His pacy dribbling skills are a threat to most sides.

France set up to exploit long, diagonal balls over the top of the German defence. Using their faster players to beat the offside trap and run past the German defenders.

Several of these balls were delivered and openings were created. However a lack of accuracy and composure let the French down. All too often the last pass or the final first touch was very poor. Griezmann was guilty of this - 5

Right Attacking Midfielder - Paul Pogba

Again, another athletic, strong, fast player. He drives at defences ala Patrick Vieira. Creating space for his team mates. He then has the passing range and ability to create a chance for his side.

Pogba showed touches of class. Touches of exciting play which looked as if they would come to something and France would equalize. But this did not happen.

The Juventus man is very highly rated. However he has a tendency to show glimpses of quality but then float through a game and disappear, contributing no more. In the first half today he looked bright but in the second half he vanished - 6

Centre Forward - Karim Benzema

Having scored in nine of his last 11 internationals for France, Benzema came in to the game with huge confidence. He has had a good tournament.

However in the last game against Nigeria, Benzema had chances but did not score. Today was the same story. He forced two saves from Neuer, both from tight angles. The better option would have been to cross the ball across goal with pace or to fire a shot in hard and low and hope Neuer would parry to an arriving Frenchman.

Benzema lacked the decision making skills of a quality forward. He missed chances which cost France the game - 6

A poor French display saw this young team bow out of the tournament at the Quarter Final stage. The German's were not at their best but progressed. They scored that crucial goal, sat back, defended well and used their experience to see the game out and nullify a youthful, enthusiastic French side.

France, despite being inexperienced, have several classy players. Today though they defended fairly well, looked in control particularly in the second half. They played as if they were 1 nil to the good rather than 1 nil down. They showed no urgency or tempo when attacking the Germans.

Didier Deschamps did not make his substitutions or tactical changes soon enough either. Also a lack of quality in front of goal as well as with that final first touch or final pass, cost France.

They did not look as if they wanted to win or wanted to give everything for the cause. A poor performance and a chance missed. But a French side who will learn from this experience and be a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments.

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This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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